Lincoln – December 2008 – The University of Nebraska Foundation’s board of directors awarded $1.14 million to the University of Nebraska through its annual grants program to support projects and programs on all four campuses for 2008-2009.

“We are pleased with the programs funded this year, as they benefit students and faculty and help make the university an attractive choice for education and employment,” said Brian Hamilton of Grand Island, who is member of the University of Nebraska Foundation’s board of directors and chairman of the grants committee. “The high level of research and quality education at the University of Nebraska is invaluable to our future.”

The following projects received 2008-2009 funding:

University of Nebraska at Kearney

• $139,100 for the Program for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to promote business development and jobs in rural Nebraska.
• $150,000 to help meet a challenge grant for funding of a new student wellness center and human performance lab on campus.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• $250,000 to support construction of the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, which will serve as home to campus organizations and offices focused on diversity efforts. The award was part of a multi-year commitment for support of the new center.
• $100,000 for continuation of the Initiative for Teaching and Learning Excellence, which currently focuses on ways to help students better understand ethics, civics, communications and other issues.

University of Nebraska Medical Center

• $249,660 for a critical new fluorescence microscope and reader that provides researchers the ability to capture images of cells and to analyze changes in their size, shape, motility, intensity and other cellular properties. It is the only microscope of its kind in the state.

University of Nebraska at Omaha

• $136,000 for the Center for Public Health Informatics to work with UNMC on integrating existing and emerging public health related databases that various agencies use for teaching, research and decision-making.
• $114,494 for the Nebraska eTeams for Microenterprise Economic Development, which works in collaboration with other campuses and outside agencies to create student-led technology teams serving as consultants to small businesses in north and south Omaha and in rural Nebraska.

Much of the annual grant resources are made available from unrestricted donations to the foundation. The chancellors submit proposals annually for the grant money, and the proposals are aligned with the university’s strategic framework, as outlined by NU President James B. Milliken.

The University of Nebraska Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that has raised private gifts to support the University of Nebraska for 72 years. Last year, it provided more than $130 million—the most ever—for students, faculty, academic programs, research, and for campus and building improvements on all four campuses.